Trump taps Rubio for Venezuela reforms post-Maduro arrest
President Donald Trump has tasked Secretary of State Marco Rubio with spearheading the initiative to enact economic and political reforms in Venezuela. The US is confident it is receiving “full, complete and total” cooperation from the government in Caracas following the capture of Nicolas Maduro, according to White House senior adviser Stephen Miller on Monday. Miller informed reporters at the White House that Trump requested Rubio “under the president’s close guidance and direction, to be the lead on this process.” The Secretary of State will head a team comprising officials focused on energy, financial, and military policy, he added. “It’s a big team, a group of people — everybody’s working great and closely together,” Miller stated.
The White House has offered limited information regarding its strategy for managing Venezuela after the audacious operation to apprehend Maduro, who on Monday entered a plea of not guilty to US allegations in a narco-terrorism case brought against him. Trump, meanwhile, has stated that the US would “run” the country until it held new elections and that major oil producers were ready to invest billions of dollars to access the Latin American country’s valuable crude reserves. The US president indicated in an interview that the administration might support energy companies in their efforts to restore Venezuela’s oil industry. Nonetheless, the economic and political endeavors in Venezuela may present significant complexities, resulting in numerous practical and policy questions remaining unresolved. Rubio has largely avoided addressing those questions, suggesting instead that the US aims to exert influence over the remaining Venezuelan government through economic coercion and the potential for further military action.
Trump and Miller have both stated that Delcy Rodríguez was aiding their efforts despite publicly denouncing his apprehension. “We are very much getting full, complete and total cooperation from the government of Venezuela, and as a result of that cooperation, the people of Venezuela are going to become richer than they ever have before, and of course, the United States is going to benefit from this massively in terms of economic security and military cooperation,” Miller said. In an interview, Trump dismissed the speculation regarding potential US coordination with Rodríguez prior to Maduro’s capture. He emphasized the necessity to “fix the country” prior to holding new elections. “We have to nurse the country back to health,” he stated. Trump stated that, alongside Rubio and Miller, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Vice President JD Vance are anticipated to play significant roles in the Venezuela effort. “It’s a group of all. They have all expertise, different expertise,” he said. In response to a question regarding ultimate authority, Trump identified himself as the one in charge.
An emergency meeting of the United Nations Security Council took place on Monday in response to the operation, during which nations expressed their criticism of Trump’s decision. Officials voiced apprehension regarding the US president indicating a potential escalation of military operations into Colombia and Mexico, forecasting the downfall of Cuba and reiterating his threat to take Greenland from Danish authority under the guise of American national security. UN Under-Secretary-General Rosemary DiCarlo, representing Secretary General Antonio Guterres, stated, “We remain deeply concerned that rules of international law have not been respected.” US ambassador to the UN Mike Waltz defended the raid, stating that it was “limited in scope.” Waltz stated “There is no war against Venezuela or its people.” We are not occupying a country. “This was a law enforcement operation.” Trump, in an interview conveyed his belief that his supporters would endorse his choices regarding Venezuela, despite the potential risk of distancing segments of his base that rallied behind him for his commitment to avoiding foreign conflicts. “MAGA loves it.” MAGA appreciates my actions. “MAGA loves everything I do,” Trump told. “MAGA is me. MAGA loves everything I do, and I love everything I do, too.”
